Chapter 29
William groped for the telephone receiver, with a voice still full of sleep he managed a gravely ‘hello’ – the time was 6.25am.
“William – I’m sorry to call you so early, but it’s my mother, she died at ten past four this morning. I was just going to bed last night, it was about 11.30, when the hospital rang and told me that she’d taken a turn for the worst, a bad reaction to the antibiotics they’d given her, and they didn’t expect her to last the night. So I won’t be opening the shop today, I’ll put a notice in the window about mama, will you tell Buffy for me please, I’ll still pay her of course”
“Who is it Will?” Buffy leant up on her elbow and put on the bedside light
William mouthed ‘Franz’ to Buffy and then said
“Oh I’m so sorry Franz, yes of course I’ll tell her – is there anything we can do to help you?”
Buffy realised what it must be about
“Franz, has his mother died?” She whispered, and William nodded
“Thanks but there’s nothing, I’ve got the death certificate to get and then I’ve got to go to the funeral home – I’ll ring you this afternoon”
“Okay Franz, and I’m so sorry for your loss, bye”
“Bye William”
“So she’s dead then” Buffy said
“Yeah, ‘fraid so, ten past four this morning, Franz said he was just going to bed last night and the hospital phoned him and said she’d had a bad reaction to the meds and they didn’t expect her to last the night”
“Poor man”
“So the shop won’t be open, he said he’d put a notice in the window about his mother and ring you this afternoon – he said he’d still pay you”
Buffy threw the bedclothes back and got up out of bed
“That’s nice of him…have you got any morning lectures today?”
“Nope………why?”
“Hmm…only I THINK I can still smell Wild Orchid body wash on you…need to get you a little more sweated up – I won’t be a moment!” She left the bedroom with a grin.
“Is that right? William’s grin matched her own………
********************************
“And he doesn’t mind about you taking ten days off to go to London with me? William busied himself putting coffee into mugs while waiting for the kettle to boil. Buffy leant against the kitchen door.
“Not at all, in fact he said that the whole refurbishment will take a fortnight, he’ll still be closed when we get back, but there will be cleaning to be done, new stuff to unpack”
“So…I suppose with his mother dying, this’ll be a whole new start for him” William said pouring water into the mugs and stirring.
“He told me he’d been thinking about it for a while, when his mother retired in fact, but there hasn’t been a lot of time between her finishing at the shop and her passing away really, it gave him a kick-start and he thought now was as good a time as any to do the improvements and refurbishing”
“So what’s his plan exactly?” William put their drinks on the coffee table and Buffy sat next to him on the sofa, her body turned towards his.
“Well, he’s going to use that ground at the back of the shop to be his new kitchen for the bakery, and half the bakery part of the shop is going to be used to extend the café - it’ll mean room for a dozen more tables at least, possibly fifteen, and he wants to expand to a more ‘Bistro’ type menu – and have tables and chairs outside so people can eat al fresco if they want. The other half of the old shop and the kitchen that’s there at the moment will be the new bakery shop, and it’ll have a big ‘L’ shaped windows that go round the corner, with an entrance in Green Park Walk too, as well as where the old entrance is”
William nodded his head
“Sounds great, probably more work for you though!”
“Suppose, but he will hire more help as it is needed, he can always call his nieces in if we get too busy, they don’t mind. So, what’s your news?”
“Benny and I saw Prof Wendle this morning, he knows neither of us are going to Boston, he’s not disappointed, he said he didn’t really see the point but he had to offer us the chance. And then, after lunch……………………” William was grinning
“Yes, go on!” Buffy began to grin too, she knew he’d got something exciting to tell her.
“Well………………I went online and booked us two tickets to London, and we’ll be staying at the Savoy hotel!” William said still grinning. Buffy squealed and threw her arms around his neck.
“Oh I can’t wait! When do we go, tell me tell me tell me!!!”
“Well I thought, no point us wasting time, I finish at lunchtime on the Friday, we go at 6 o’clock tea time – if that’s alright with you!”
“OHHHHHHHHH I can’t wait!!! I thought that with this month’s allowance I shall buy some new jeans and a dress or something, got to look smart!”
“Yup…here, I drew out some of my savings…go get yourself a few nice things” William handed her a wad of notes Buffy’s eyes bugged and she blurted out -
“Oh William, I couldn’t!” trying to shove the money back at him
“Course you can, what’s mine is yours, now not another word, and drink your coffee while it’s hot!”
Buffy stared at the $500 and smiled, reaching for her coffee.
********************************
Half Term
“Right then, tickets?”
“Check”
“Passports”
“Check, they’re in the front of the flight bag, along with the boarding cards”
“Travellers cheques and money?”
“In my wallet in my inside pocket, with my credit cards, plus the one dad sent us in case of emergencies”
“And you’ve got all the certificates and stuff you need?”
“In the flight bag as that’ll not leave our sight, we can take that on the plane with us” Buffy nodded. She’d ticked off things on her various little lists, such as checking the windows were locked, taps were off and things unplugged, and all her clothes, make-up and such.
“Right then, what times the taxi due?” William asked
“Not taking a taxi, Carlo said he’d take us, he often goes to the airport to watch the planes, we’re just to go down when we’re ready, I told him about a quarter to, is that okay?”
“Yeah great…you excited?” William asked
“Like I’ve never been – I can’t keep still – my stomach is all fluttery and I want to laugh out loud and be silly!” William pulled her close and Buffy cuddled him up
“We’re going to have a great time!”
“Make that fantastic – especially now!”
“Why now?”
“Now that we’re a proper couple…it’ll be even more special – come on, it’s just gone half past, that’s near enough for me!”
*************************
William found a trolley and loaded their suitcases.
“Will it be easy to get a taxi?” Buffy asked
“As pie, come on Muppet – this is London!”
He pushed the trolley outside towards the taxi rank. There were several dozen people waiting, but Black cabs were pulling up every few seconds and whisking away customers. Less than five minutes later a driver was helping them load their cases
“Where to guv?”
“The Savoy please!”
Although a little tired, Buffy eagerly looked out of the window. They got to the Savoy where they checked in, and Buffy opened the room door with the key-card.
“OH! This is lovely! She went over to the window and looked out, then surveyed the room. It was decorated in a soft shade of lavender blue, with darker curtains and carpet that felt thick and luxurious – she went over to the only other door in the room and surveyed the bathroom. Sea green, with a walk-in shower and deep bath, toilet, bidet and pedestal sink with a large mirror above it.
She came out to see William tipping the bell-hop who’d helped him with the cases
“Well Muppet, what do you think, does it pass your inspection?” William asked grinning at her. Buffy’s grin matched his own as she bounced on the bed
“I’ll say, it’s lovely – oh I can’t wait to get out!” William slotted his wallet into his shirt pocket and looked at his watch.
“Hmm, morning coffee time…want to take a walk – there’s bound to be a Starbucks or something close by!”
“Oh yes!” She bounded off the bed like an exuberant puppy, and put hr arms around Will’s neck
“Have I told you lately that I love you?” She asked, smiling up into his face.
William’s arms snaked around her waist and pretending to be deep in thought he said,
“Erm, let me think…hmm, not for at least a couple of hours – I think I need reminding”
Buffy stood on tip-toe and kissed him tenderly
“I love you”
“And I, love you, now come on Muppet – let’s go exploring!”
*****************************
Both tired from walking, they opened the door to their room. They went straight over to the bed and flopped down, putting what they’d been carrying on the bed too. Buffy eased her shoes off and lay back closing her eyes. William began to study the street-finder map he’d bought. Checking the address of the solicitors he had to see he realised that they weren’t far away at all
“You know, we could walk to the solicitors, it’s not far from here”
“How far’s not far…I know your not far, ends up being miles…’it’s just down the road here’ you cheerfully tell me, then about twenty squillion blocks later, we’re STILL not there!”
William grinned at her
“Are you moaning, Muppet?” Buffy sat up and yawned
“Nope – (she popped the ‘P’) – I’m just saying, that’s all!”
“Okay, we COULD go on the underground, but it’s kinda awkward coz this place is sort of between stations, we’d end up walking just as far as we’d travelled by tube on the underground…”
“Will, can we get a taxi there, I just want you to sort things out with the solicitors, we can do the tube thing and that later”
“You’re right of course, taxi it is – but that’s not until tomorrow morning, so what are we going to do until then, hmm?”
“Sleep…I’m knackered, it’s…it’s quarter to ten in the morning, and I’ve been up all night!”
“Actually pet, it’s a quarter to three in the afternoon, you haven’t changed your watch yet!”
“No, but I know what I mean…I’m still tired after that 10 mile hike you just took me on!” She smiled and began to unfasten the strap of her watch, holding it out to him
“Here, do it for me, I’ll probably break it!”
“Okay then, on one condition” William said, taking it off her
“What’s that then?”
“That you’ll come with me tonight”
“Where to?” Buffy was already lying down again
“To see, Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre, and then a post theatre supper at Lorenzo’s – we might see some of the cast, they often eat there after the show, apparently!”
Buffy sat bolt upright, bug eyed
“You’re kidding - When did you sort this out?”
“I’m not kidding – I did it on-line before we came here – I knew you’d like it!”
“Like it- oh god I LOVE IT!!! I love you – oh this is brilliant!” She hugged him tight and pulled him down towards her. William moved the maps and one or two other things they’d bought off the bed and lay down next to her properly – they both promptly fell asleep!
**************
Buffy woke dry-mouthed and sat up and looked at the digital bedside clock, it said 5.40pm. She felt slightly thick-headed, muzzy from lack of sleep the way jet-lag gets you. She let out a loud yawn and stretched and then turned to look at William, who stirred. She leaned over and gave him a light kiss on the lips
“Hey, sleepy-head!”
“Hey…what’s the time?”
“Nearly a quarter to six, what time are we going out?”
“Oh we’ve got a little time yet, show doesn’t start until 7.45” he too yawned and stretched
“God, I didn’t know I was so tired – I went out like a light!”
“Tell me about it!”
“I’ve got a bit of a headache”
“Hmm, me too – I think it’s the whole jet-laggy thing going on, we’ll be okay after a blow of fresh air!”
“Yeah, I think you’re right…shall we order up some tea and stuff on room service, coz it’ll be late before we eat properly - then we can start getting ready – do you want a bath or a shower?”
“Bath”
“Okay, I’ll take a shower then, we can at the same time then”
“Bath’s big enough for two…”
William grinned and said,
“If we start that, we’ll NEVER get to the show…so just some assorted sandwiches and tea do you?!” Will asked picking up the phone, Buffy nodded.
****************************
They enjoyed the show immensely, and a dreamy supper of pasta with a creamy sauce with seafood and mushrooms washed down with a bottle of crisp white wine.
“Pudding?”
“Who are you calling a pudding!” Buffy asked, reaching for the menu again
“I’m not, do you want one?” William asked smiling at her
“Why not, I’m on holiday…hmm, let me see………ohhhhhh, that sounds nice………mind you, so does that…then there’s always……...oh – no I’m going to have that!”
“What?” Buffy looked from behind the menu to see the waiter patiently standing there, pen poised over the order pad. She blushed and said
“Um, sorry! I’ll have the white peaches with mascarpone and almond ice-cream please”
The waiter wrote this down and turned expectantly towards William
“I’ll just have coffee thanks”
The waiter took the menu and walked off
“I feel greedy now! I wouldn’t have had a pudding if I knew you weren’t going to have one!”
“Yes you would, Muppet. Anyway Kitten, did you enjoy the show?”
“Oh it was fantastic! When can we go to another one?”
“Well, I’ve got one booked the night before we leave, but I thought you might like to pick the next one we go to, I’ve got the What’s On back at the hotel – they’ll book it from there for me and put it on our bill – isn’t that great!”
“Wow, I can’t wait to see what’s on…..…. oh look at this – yum!” Buffy grinned as her dessert was placed in front of her – it was a work of art on a plate!
***
They got back to the hotel and both had a refreshing nights sleep, both waking bright and early, when Buffy woke it was 7.35am, William was dressed in his dressing robe, reading
“Morning Babe!”
“Morning….(she stretched luxuriously) did you sleep well?”
“Like the proverbial log! I’ve just been reading. Do you want to have room service or shall we go down to the buffet breakfast?”
“Buffet, I can choose what I want then…what time have we got to be at the solicitors for?”
“Ten thirty”
“What time does the breakfast buffet start?”
“From 7.45am to 9”
She threw back the bedclothes and said,
“I’ll just go and splash my face, I’ll have a shower after breakfast…I fancy scrambley eggs, bacon and English muffins!”
*****************************
“Thanks, how much?” William asked the cabbie
“£6 mate”
“Here you go, thanks” William paid the driver and after he’d driven off William turned and looked at the impressive red-bricked building. On the railings outside was a brass plaque engraved
Pearlman Hardcourt and Dean, Solicitors
And Chartered Surveyors
“This is the place, come on Muppet, let’s see what they’ve got for me” William held out his hand and Buffy took it. In his other hand he carried all the documents Joyce had sent him.
They saw the receptionist and she told them to take a seat. After a few minutes, a tall balding man in a smart suit came up to them
“Mr William Campbell?”
“Er, yes” William stood up. The man smiled and politely extended his hand, William shook it feeling slightly nervous.
“I’m Miles Pearlman, senior partner here, if you’d like to come this way”
“Shall I wait here or…”
“No, come on, got nothing to hide!” William held out his hand for Buffy and they both followed the gentleman into his office
The door was closed and Mr Pearlman said,
“Right, tea – or coffee if you prefer, before we get down to business?”
They both settled on coffee which was bought in for them.
He had a quiet but friendly manner that put them both at ease
“This is the type of business I like doing – happy news, although it started with unhappy circumstances and I’m sorry for your loss Mr Campbell” he looked at William over his spectacles
“Huh-Er – oh yes! Sorry, I’m not used to being called Mr Campbell, and it was a long time ago now!”
“Quite! Well, first things first, I need proof you are who you say you are…”
“Here you go, I got mom to send me everything she had by way of adoption papers and that”
“Do you mind if we take photocopies of theses, for the records you understand” Mr Pearlman asked
“Not at all, carry on” William said
Mr Pearlman called his secretary into his office via an intercom, and gave her instructions what to do with the sheaf of papers and documents he gave her.
“This shouldn’t take too long, we’ll just need to read through certain papers and make one or two phone calls”
“That’s fine, oh mom said as the two ladies have retired who did the original adoption she’s left a phone number of the woman to whom you are to speak to now, it’s in with the adoption certificate” William said helpfully.
“Oh thank you, that will save us a lot of time!” Mr Pearlman said
*********
After just over half an hour of small talk, the secretary came back smiling and confirmed that William was indeed who he said he was, and everything was in order. She gave Mr Pearlman all the original certificates back too. He smiled and opened his drawer
“Right then – down to business!”
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Thankyou to all you lovely people for the continuing reviews, MUCH APPRECIATED!!!